How understanding and applying spiritual principles can change your experience:

Today, thanks to technology, we all have access to so much information about the world at large…T.V. especially news broadcasts; the internet and print media. Mainstream news outlets are dependent on their advertisers and tend to reflect the views of the people who supply the money. Negative news sells and much of the “news”, including alternative media, tends to focus on the negative. We get a lot of fear-based information, and we are immobilized by fear (this is a natural physiological response). When my email inbox is full of petition requests , messages from online news organizations, blogs etc… I experience what I call the Email Dilemma: the staggering amount of information that presents everything that is ugly and awful about our human experience . It is so easy to get caught up with everything that is Wrong with the World and feel angry and depressed.Or..maybe, as a way to survive: just ignore it all!

Denial does not change anything. What to do?

As I mentioned in the above article political or business entities, that we might refer to as the Corporate World or those holding the Corporatist world view, have envisioned the world they want for a long time and held that steady focus until they achieve what they believe in. What is stopping the rest of us from doing the same?

The Daily Email Dilemma
It seems everywhere I look there is bad news, warnings of calamity, especially on the internet and in my email inbox. Daily email headlines such as “We’re all in deep trouble” are sometimes accompanied by shocking or disturbing graphics and horror stories.
Here is sampling from a day’s email:

Engineering the Climate to Control Populations.

Coal is a BAD investment for Washington.

Stop Fossil Fuel Empires from destroying our lands.

TPP passed the senate: Urgent Action Needed

I admit that I sign email petitions, and send messages to legislators and CEO’s of big companies. Sometimes these online efforts have an impact, even successful results. They do a good job of informing me about current events that have ramifications in this rapidly changing world. These campaigns are at least superficially effective, even though they come from an angry, fear-based perspective. They can seem negative and sometimes confrontational and combative, taking their cues from the mainstream media.

Unfortunately, I find that the never-ending bad news affects me on a very deep level …I could easily choose to just ignore it all. After all, what I don’t know doesn’t hurt me. Right?…We seem to have little or no control, and even less choice about these issues outside of a narrow personal range of actions. I admit that the negative stuff leaves me feeling angry and anxious. How can we navigate this rapidly changing world of events?
These “negative events” are important and have far-reaching effects. But both the event and the reactions to them represent only one perspective. There are so many positive personal and community responses to the challenges we face. We just don’t hear that much, if anything, about them! Many millions of people are creating amazing responses.
Is there a better way? How can we envision and create the kind of world that works for everyone and have fun along the way?
After all: even some of the worst environmental offenders or the financial institutions are just “acting in their own best interest. ” (Or the best interests of their shareholders)
All the people (Yes, corporations ARE people: at least the CEO’s and those making the decisions) who are on the leading edge of the environmental assault on the planet are people who believe that what they are doing is in their best interest. And until they believe otherwise will continue to behave the way they do. Some of these political or business entities have envisioned the world they want for a long time and held that steady focus until they achieve what they believe in. What is stopping the rest of us from doing the same?
How can we envision the world we want and create the world we want without the negative, combative response to every perceived assault?

Today, the young doe that has been hanging around brought out her new fawn for inspection…a sure sign that Spring is full swing…

young fawn is well hidden…can you find her?

Spring is a time of renewal and regeneration. The Earth itself reminds us of the infinite creative capacities of Life and the Creative Intelligence that surrounds us and creates all that is…

And yet… in the background there is that constant reminder of the wanton destruction of life all over the planet, that for me engenders a vague uneasiness.

My first experience starting a blog was seriously challenged by destructive viruses.It has been many months since the initial blog went down in flames and I have hesitated to start over. My first thought was to republish old posts. Now, I feel the urge to start over with entirely new posts…makes sense, doesn’t it? Start WHERE YOU ARE.

He strikes a very positive note in his opening lines: “The standard gloom and doom discourse surrounding global warming and climate change has infected the body politic with a severe case of depression and disempowerment. So starting today… let’s look at our planetary crisis from an entirely different, and more hopeful perspective.
The good news is that the global grassroots, farmers and consumers united, can reverse our suicidal “business as usual” food, farming, energy, and land use practices. Harnessing the awesome power of Regenerative Organic Agriculture and reforestation, we can literally suck down enough excess (50-100 ppm of CO2) heat-trapping carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and naturally sequester it in our plants, trees and soils. Regenerative Agriculture and Earth Repair practices can not only mitigate, but also, in combination with drastic reductions (80-90 percent) of fossil fuel emissions in our food and farming, transportation, housing, utilities, and industrial sectors, actually reverse global warming.”

Here’s an example of the Earth Repair in process:

Nature reclaiming an old sofa

In the following posts I will talk about not only the physical regeneration practices but also some spiritually based practices. Be sure to read the full essay above and also check out Organic Consumers Organization!

Smart shopping:Take a tour around the Market and check out what is on offer at the various stalls. Compare prices: Most vendors will have similar prices, but sometimes $1 less per pound or per bunch can make a difference in your budget.

good spring greens

Buy what you know you can use in one week.More fragile produce like lettuce, greens, tomatoes, green beans really go fast, so eat them right away.Don’t overbuy berries and other fruit that spoil faster.Keep in mind that produce is fresh but also it is picked ripe!

3.Get to know your vendors. Ask their names and introduce yourself. Ask them questions. If they aren’t busy, you may want to chat a minute. If they are busy, take a card and check out their website or email them questions.

4.Keep an eye out for non-produce vendors who sell eggs, poultry, meats, and sometimes depending where you live, fish; also cheeses, fresh ice cream, fresh pasta and breads.

Fresh bread for sale!

Specialty items such as body care, cosmetics, herb and

Gorgeous peonies!

flowers are often available. If you see something you haven’t budgeted for you might either write a check or ask if they will be there the following week. These items truly make the Market a special treat.

Beautiful blue and white bouquets

Some markets allow craft vendors. Shopping for gift items is also an option.